Midwest R Corp. and local radio stations WOBL/WDLW started the Holiday Cheer program to raise awareness and money to help feed local families during the holiday season.

It began in 1983, a year after Second Harvest was founded.

Since then, the program has raised about $1.1 million toward meals for people in Lorain, Erie, Huron and Crawford counties.

The program this year will run from Nov. 19 to Dec. 24.

A special kickoff breakfast will take place from 7-9:30 a.m., Nov. 30, at Burger King, 616 W. Broad St. in Elyria.

Donors who give $5 will get a free breakfast donated by Burger King.

“Being part of our community is important to us, but never more so than when we come together to help make a difference in the lives of local families in need,” said Sully Renuart, president and CEO of Midwest R Corp.

Renuart's father, John, was one of the founders of Holiday Cheer.

Doug Wilber, president and CEO of WOBL/WDLW, described the first year of the program.

“We collected $3,500 that year, nearly all in quarters,” Wilber said. “We’ve come so far. Over the years, we’ve been able to raise enough to provide over 5 million meals to local families.”

Things have grown since then.

Last year, Holiday Cheer raised $70,000.

The goal for this year is $75,000 because there always is a need, Wilber said.

“There’s a perception out there that we’re in a great economy and everybody is working and isn’t life wonderful?" he said. "If you are working and life is wonderful, you don’t realize that it’s not that for a whole lot of people.”

The campaign is not about seeking $1,000 donations -- although Second Harvest would accept that amount and put it to good use, said Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of the food bank.

The most amazing part about the campaign is how small donations will add up, Chase-Morefield said.

“A few dollars really does make a difference,” she said. “For us, for every dollar we get, we can provide five meals.

"This isn’t like, huge amounts of money to make a difference, so everybody can contribute.”

That has been a common characteristic among many Second Harvest donors, Chase-Morefield said.

The food bank has numerous donors who give $5 or $10 because they live in a neighborhood where they see people struggling, she said.

“It’s like, well, if I can give a few dollars to help, then I can feel like I’m making a difference, and you really can,” Chase-Morefield said.

If You Go: Holiday Cheer kickoff, locations

Holiday Cheer, a donation campaign for Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, will have a special kickoff breakfast from 7-9:30 a.m., Nov. 30, at Burger King, 616 W. Broad St. in Elyria. Donors who give $5 will get a free breakfast donated by Burger King.

Related Links

Tags

Richard Payerchin covers Lorain City Hall, business news and other interesting stories for The Morning Journal. Reach the author at rpayerchin@MorningJournal.com or follow Richard on Twitter: @MJ_JournalRick.